The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV

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Mercedes-Benz, simply known as Mercedes, is a leading global luxury automative manufacturer based in Germany. The company is headquartered in Stuttgart and is famed for its high quality passenger vehicles, to include the Mercedes-Maybach. However, the company is also a leader in manufacturing commercial vehicles, to include the Mercedes eSprinter commercial EV and the Mercedes eVito electric van.

Mercedes-Benz EQ is the sub-brand used by the company for its portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The pure electric cars are branded as EQ, while the PHEVs are branded as EQ Power. The mild hybrid vehicles are branded as EQ Boost. The BEV portfolio includes:

• The all-electric EQC SUV
• The all-electric EQV MPV
• The all-electric EQA SUV
• The all-electric EQE SUV
• The all-electric EQS saloon
• The all-electric EQB SUV
• The all-electric EQE saloon
• The all-electric EQS SUV

The all-electric Mercedes EQC is the first member of the Mercedes EQ electric mobility family. The electric EQC is based on the Generation EQ concept which was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, with the production model making its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.  The EQC is based on the Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV model and is also a five-seater family vehicle. 

This luxurious electric family SUV is available in only one battery size (80 kW) with a WLTP emission-free electric range up to 410 km on a full charge. Of course, the real-world range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors.

For those new to electric driving, it is worth noting that the real-world EV range is influenced by driving profile, weather conditions, road conditions, passenger load, regenerative braking profile and more! For the EQC e-SUV expect a real-world e-range closer to 350 km. Sufficient electric range for most day-to-day driving need, to include motorway driving.

The EV can be rapid charged up to 110 kW DC. Not the fastest, nor the slowest. But given the price tag, we would have expected a faster DC fast charging capability. In any case the EV can be charged from 10%-80% state-of-charge (SOC) in 40 minutes.

The manufacturer also offers a 3-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard. However, as most homes in India are limited to single-phase power supply, taking advantage of the 11 kW charging speed will only be for those with access to 3-phase EV charging at home, workplace or a public charging station.

Using a dedicated three-phase (11 kW) EV charger, like the 22 kW easee EV charger, the EQC electric car can be fully charged in 7 hours and 30 minutes. Single-phase 7.4 kW charging will take longer (up to 11 hours). We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight at home, when the electricity tariff rates are cheaper.

We discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging an electric car. We also encourage charging on a regular basis. This way, there is always available ‘electric miles’ and regular charging is good for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Mercedes offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.

The premium all-electric EQC is good looking, with the exterior styling, a good blend between a traditional and futuristic design, perfect for those buyers keen on the ‘familiar’, but also open to embracing the future. As you would expect from Mercedes, the EQC is a highly refined pure electric SUV. The five-seater SUV has ample headroom and legroom for rear seat passengers and also a decent boot size (500 L).

As the electric vehicle (EV) has been developed on a dedicated EV platform, the EV battery is neatly placed below the floor, creating more interior space. The e-SUV is packed with the latest generation driver assistance technology, to include: Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Blind Spot Assist with Exit warning function, Active Steering Assist and Active Brake Assist. The EV has been awarded a Five-StarNCAP Safety Rating.

In terms of performance, the all-wheel drive Mercedes EQC can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds (max power: 408 hp/ torque: 760 Nm). The top speed of the e-SUV is 180 km/h. Of course, the EV also delivers instant torque.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV is available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Built on a dedicated EV platform	Cheaper alternatives available
All-wheel drive as standard	DC charging only up to 110 kW
11 kW AC onboard charger as standard	Electric range not as impressive as some competitors

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The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV (credit: Mercedes)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body Type:	SUV
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	Yes

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Trim (1 Option)
Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC (from Rs 99.50 Lakhs)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 80 kWh
Charging:	110 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80% : 40 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-80% : 7 hrs 30 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1622
Width (mm):	2096
Length (mm):	4761
Wheelbase (mm):	2864
Turning Circle (m):	11.8
Boot Space (L):	500

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EQC 400 4MATIC
EV Battery Capacity:	80 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	410 km
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	238 – 224
Charging:	110 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80% : 40 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-80% : 7 hrs 30 mins)
Top Speed:	180 km/h
0-100 km/h:	5.1 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	300
Max Power (hp):	408
Torque (Nm):	760
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	2,495
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), more commonly referred to simply as, electric vehicles (EVs) or as plug-in electric cars, have come a long way over the past decade and certainly a long way over the past 100 years.

Electric vehicles came into prominence in the early 1900’s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation.  Archived black and white photographs from that period show famous avenues like Madison Avenue in New York city filled with horse-drawn carriages.  In stark contrast, a similar photograph taken a decade later of Madison Avenue showed not a single horse-drawn carriage.  Instead the avenue was filled with motor vehicles, a new invention at that time. 

We are now witnessing a similar fundamental shift in road transportation, as polluting internal combustion engines (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles are being replaced by low-emission and zero-emission electric vehicles. In countries like the United Kingdom, a leader in e-mobility, we can expect a comprehensive replacement of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (UK will ban the sale of new ICE cars in 2030). The UK is not the only country that has a vision of a mass transition to zero-tailpipe emission electric cars.

Since 2011, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has increased at a year-over-year growth rate of over 50%. In 2020, according to the Global EV Outlook 2021 report, the global stock of electric vehicles (EVs) had surpassed 10 million units.

In 2015, the Global stock was just over 1 million units. In 2020, Europe accounted for the largest share of new car registrations of EVs (1.4 million registered electric vehicles), followed by China (1.2 million electric vehicles). In Europe, countries like Norway, Iceland and Sweden continue to show strong leadership in the transition to electric driving. In Norway more than 75% of new cars are electric, followed by 50% in Iceland and 30% in Sweden.

However, this is not just a western phenomenon. A number of countries across the world have announced their support for electric cars, to include India. Pure electric cars are now common sightings in a number of global markets, and EV automotive manufacturers, like California based Tesla Motors are now household brands.

Traditional automotive manufactures have also shown significant commitment to the migration to electric engines, to include Volvo Cars, the Volkswagen Group, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, Hyundai, Mercedes, Land Rover and many more. Forecast for the sale of EVs suggest up to 30 million electric vehicles to be sold before the end of the current decade.

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Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

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“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:

• BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
• PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
• MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
• FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)

The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.

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Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.

BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe. A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.

On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine.

With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres.

No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.

PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.

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Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

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Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV. Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station). In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking.

MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars. MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.

The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle. The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe. It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.

FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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